Guide to the Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007 AIS.2008.06
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Jean Witter Papers
Creator
Witter, Jean
Collection Number
AIS.2008.06
Extent
13 Linear Feet(10 records center boxes, 1 photograph box)
Date
1953-2007
Date
1965-1984
Abstract
This collection documents the activism of Jean Witter, a Pittsburgh lawyer, who was heavily involved with the National Organization for Women (NOW) and an advocate for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. This collection contains correspondence, meeting minutes, promotional material, personal notes and writings, and ephemera related to the women's rights movement.
Language
English
.
Author
Ashley Taylor
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Ashley Taylor in January 2010. The material in the collection was weeded heavily, as a large portion of the material originally received by the ASC had little or no relevance to the collection. Material that was removed included a large amount of duplicate material, personal memorabilia, previously published resources such as magazines and congressional proceedings, information on general legal matters not relating to women's liberation, the Equal Rights Amendment, or Jean Witter, information on legal cases arbitrated by Jean Witter that contained personal information on clients and was not applicable to women's issues, a large amount of personal tax forms, and a substantial amount of unrelated mailings.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Raymond and David Witter on August 5, 2008.
Scope and Content Notes
The Jean Witter Papers include correspondence, legislative material relating to the Equal Rights Amendment, meeting minutes and organizational information on the National Organization for Women (specifically the Pittsburgh chapter), promotional material for both the ERA and NOW, personal records, a sampling of articles and notes on general women's issues, Witter's personal writings (both notes and essays), and ephemeral material relating to the women's rights movement. The primary focus of the collection is on Witter's involvement in NOW and the foundations of the Pittsburgh chapter, and her work on the passage of the ERA. The collection also contains several audio cassettes, which include speeches and interviews given by Witter, as well as material relating to the overall movement for equality for women.
Previous Citation
Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007, AIS.2008.06, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Jean Witter Papers, 1953-2007, AIS.2008.06, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Biography
Jean Witter was born Jean Peindl on July 23, 1927, and was raised in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. She earned a degree in crystallography from Duquesne University during World War II, which was rather rare for the time period. She worked as a chemical librarian until she was able to get a research position at the University of Pittsburgh. She married DuWayne Witter and had two sons.
During the 1960s, Witter became interested in the women's rights movement, and became one of the first presidents of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was interested primarily in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and was appointed Chairperson for NOW's ERA Committee. In order to strengthen her arguments and credibility, Witter attended law school at Duquesne in the early 1970s. After passing the bar exam, Witter threw herself into promoting the ratification of the ERA. One of her most significant contributions to the campaign was a legal opinion she authored that prompted Congress to extend the deadline for ratification by three years. After the ERA failed to pass, Witter still remained active as a lawyer, mostly by advocating women's issues, particularly in regards to sexual discrimination and equal employment rights.
Witter passed away in 2008, at the age of 80.
Subjects
Corporate Names
National Organization for Women. Pittsburgh Chapter
National Organization for Women. Pennsylvania Chapter
National Organization for Women
Personal Names
Judd Hill, Cindy
Evansgardner, JoAnn
Schlafly, Phyllis
Heide, Wilma Scott
Witter, Jean
Geographic Names
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Other Subjects
Social action
Personal papers
Women's studies -- United States
Women
Feminists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Feminism -- United States
Women -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States
Equal rights amendments -- United States
Women's rights -- United States
Container List
Scope and Content Notes
Series II consists of materials relating to the attempts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a cause which Witter was heavily involved in. This series includes promotional material, legislative material, memos, newsletters, correspondence, notes, and reports. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Containers
box 1, folder 8
Containers
box 1, folder 9
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box 1, folder 10
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box 1, folder 11
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box 1, folder 12
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box 1, folder 13
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box 1, folder 14
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box 1, folder 15
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box 1, folder 16
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box 1, folder 17
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box 1, folder 18
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box 1, folder 19
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box 1, folder 20
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box 1, folder 21
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box 1, folder 22
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box 1, folder 23
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box 1, folder 24
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box 1, folder 25
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box 1, folder 26
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box 1, folder 27
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box 1, folder 28
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box 1, folder 29
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box 1, folder 30
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box 1, folder 31
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box 1, folder 32
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box 1, folder 33
Containers
box 1, folder 34-35
Containers
box 1, folder 36
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box 1, folder 37
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box 2, folder 1
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box 2, folder 2
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box 2, folder 3
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box 2, folder 4
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box 2, folder 5
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box 2, folder 6-7
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box 2, folder 8
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box 2, folder 9
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box 2, folder 10
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box 2, folder 11
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box 2, folder 12
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box 2, folder 13
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box 2, folder 14
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box 2, folder 15
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box 2, folder 16
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box 2, folder 17
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box 2, folder 18
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box 2, folder 19
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box 2, folder 20-21
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box 2, folder 22
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box 2, folder 23
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box 2, folder 24
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box 2, folder 25
Containers
box 2, folder 26
Containers
box 2, folder 27-28
Containers
box 3, folder 1-2
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box 3, folder 3
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box 3, folder 4
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box 3, folder 5
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box 3, folder 6
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box 3, folder 7
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box 3, folder 8
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box 3, folder 9
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box 3, folder 10
Containers
box 3, folder 11-12
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box 3, folder 13
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box 3, folder 14
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box 3, folder 15
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box 3, folder 16
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box 3, folder 17
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box 3, folder 18
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box 3, folder 19
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box 3, folder 20
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box 3, folder 21
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box 3, folder 22
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box 3, folder 23
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box 3, folder 24
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box 3, folder 25
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box 4, folder 1
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box 4, folder 2
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box 4, folder 3
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box 4, folder 4
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box 4, folder 5
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box 4, folder 6
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box 4, folder 7
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box 4, folder 8
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box 4, folder 9
Containers
box 4, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
Series III consists of material relating to the National Organization for Women (NOW), to which Witter belonged. This series contains newsletters, meeting minutes, conference information, promotional material, memos, and news clippings. The series is divided into three subseries. Subseries 1 is Board of Trustees, Subseries 2 is National, and Subseries 3 is Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh Chapters. These three subseries are each arranged alphabetically by subject.
Containers
box 4, folder 11
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box 4, folder 12
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box 4, folder 13
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box 4, folder 14
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box 4, folder 15
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box 4, folder 16
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box 4, folder 17
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box 4, folder 18
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box 4, folder 19
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box 4, folder 20
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box 4, folder 21
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box 4, folder 22
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box 4, folder 23
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box 4, folder 24
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box 4, folder 25
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box 4, folder 26
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box 4, folder 27
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box 4, folder 28
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box 4, folder 29
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box 4, folder 30
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box 4, folder 31
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box 5, folder 1
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box 5, folder 2
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box 5, folder 3
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box 5, folder 4
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box 5, folder 5
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box 5, folder 6
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box 5, folder 7
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box 5, folder 8
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box 5, folder 9
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box 5, folder 10
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box 5, folder 11
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box 5, folder 12
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box 5, folder 13
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box 5, folder 14
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box 5, folder 15
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box 5, folder 16
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box 5, folder 17
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box 5, folder 18
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box 5, folder 19
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box 5, folder 20
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box 5, folder 21-22
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box 5, folder 23
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box 5, folder 24
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box 5, folder 25
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box 5, folder 26
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box 5, folder 27
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box 5, folder 28
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box 5, folder 29
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box 5, folder 30
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box 6, folder 1
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box 6, folder 2
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box 6, folder 3
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box 6, folder 4
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box 6, folder 5
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box 6, folder 6
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box 6, folder 7
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box 6, folder 8
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box 6, folder 9
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box 6, folder 10
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box 6, folder 11
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box 6, folder 12
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box 6, folder 13
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box 6, folder 14
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box 6, folder 15
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box 6, folder 16
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box 6, folder 17
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box 6, folder 18
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box 6, folder 19
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box 6, folder 20
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box 6, folder 21
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box 6, folder 22
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box 6, folder 23
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box 6, folder 24
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box 6, folder 25
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box 6, folder 26
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box 6, folder 27
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box 6, folder 28
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box 6, folder 29
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box 6, folder 30
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box 6, folder 31
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box 6, folder 32
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box 6, folder 33
Containers
box 7, folder 1
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box 7, folder 2
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box 7, folder 3
Scope and Content Notes
Series IV consists of Witter's personal records. This series includes wills, resumes, and campaign materials. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Containers
box 7, folder 4
Containers
box 7, folder 5
Containers
box 7, folder 6
Scope and Content Notes
Series V contains a sampling of information related to women's issues that Witter was interested in but not involved with. The material for this collection was chosen for representation because it was the most common or because it was previously categorized by subject by Witter. This series includes articles, reports, and notes. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Containers
box 7, folder 7-9
Containers
box 7, folder 10-11
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box 7, folder 12
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box 7, folder 13
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box 7, folder 14
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box 7, folder 15
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box 7, folder 16
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box 7, folder 17
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box 7, folder 18
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box 7, folder 19
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box 7, folder 20
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box 7, folder 21
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box 7, folder 22
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box 7, folder 23
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box 7, folder 24
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box 7, folder 25
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box 7, folder 26-27
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box 7, folder 28-29
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box 7, folder 30
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box 7, folder 31
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box 7, folder 32
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box 8, folder 1-2
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box 8, folder 3
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box 8, folder 4
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box 8, folder 5
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box 8, folder 6
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box 8, folder 7
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box 8, folder 8
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box 8, folder 9
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box 8, folder 10
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box 8, folder 11-12
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box 8, folder 13
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box 8, folder 14
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box 8, folder 15
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box 8, folder 16
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box 8, folder 17-19
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box 8, folder 20
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box 8, folder 21
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box 8, folder 22-23
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box 8, folder 24
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box 8, folder 25
Containers
box 9, folder 1
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box 9, folder 2-4
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box 9, folder 5
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box 9, folder 6-7
Containers
box 9, folder 8
Containers
box 9, folder 9
Containers
box 9, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
Series VI consists of Witter's personal writings, including material on the women's movement, the ERA, and her own personal reflections. This series contains notebooks, essays, and articles. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Containers
box 9, folder 11
Containers
box 9, folder 12
Containers
box 9, folder 13
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box 9, folder 14
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box 9, folder 15
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box 9, folder 16
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box 9, folder 17
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box 9, folder 18
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box 9, folder 19
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box 9, folder 20
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box 9, folder 21
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box 9, folder 22
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box 9, folder 23
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box 9, folder 24
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box 9, folder 25
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box 9, folder 26
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box 9, folder 27
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box 9, folder 28
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box 9, folder 29
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box 10, folder 1
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box 10, folder 2
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box 10, folder 3
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box 10, folder 4
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box 10, folder 5
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box 10, folder 6
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box 10, folder 7-8
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box 10, folder 9
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box 10, folder 10
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box 10, folder 11
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box 10, folder 12
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box 10, folder 13
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box 10, folder 14
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box 10, folder 15
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box 10, folder 16
Containers
box 10, folder 17
Scope and Content Notes
Series VII consists of assorted material relating to the women's rights movement, particularly the passage of the ERA. The majority of this material is propaganda and audio/visual material geared to promote recognition of women's issues. This series includes LPs, posters, buttons, jewelry, audio cassettes, and a VHS videotape. The series is arranged by type of material.